[Greek] καταλαμβάνω (katalambanō), [Latin] respondere, [Latin] comprehendere, [Latin] cognoscere, [Latin adprehendere, [French] attraper: to attack, to lay hold of, to seize, to comprehend, to take, to overtake, to apprehend, to understand, to grasp; Mk.9:18, Jn.1:5, Jn.8:3-4, Jn.12:35, Acts 4:13, Acts 10:34, Acts 25:25, Rom.9:30, 1Cor.9:24, Eph.3:18, Php.3:12-13, 1Thess.5:4
Police said demonstrators broke windows and started a fire inside the courthouse building in downtown Portland on the night of July 2, 2020 (Photo courtesy of KATU)
Background information:
Greek Hellenism: This term means to seize, to keep silent, to constrain, to overtake, to befall, to comprehend (seize with the mind), to catch, to take by surprise, to put an end to, to repress, to enforce, to bring out the truth, and to condemn.
Herodotus’ The Histories 3.41: “They seized the seal ring and brought it with joy to Polycrates.”
Herodotus’ The Histories 5.21: “The death of these Persians were kept silent.”
Plutarach’s Pericles 33: “That he would be restrained against his better judgment.”
Aristophanes’ Ecclesiazusae 21: “Assembly is about to gather and we must take our seats.”
Polybius’ Histories 8.26: “He fell into the power of his enemies.”
Euripides’ Cyclops 260: “He has been caught selling your goods behind your back.”
Herodotus’ The Histories 5.21: “Alexander had cunning enough to put an end to it with by a gift of a great sum.”
Herodotus’ The Histories 9.106: “They were bound by their pledge and oath to remain faithful and not desert their allies.”
Herodotus’ The Histories 3.75: “Necessity forced him to reveal it.”
Antiphon’s Third Tetralogy 4.49: “Don’t let the guilty escape by punishing the innocent.”
New Testament: This term means to take control (seize), to catch (be caught), to overcome (overtake), to observe (perceive), and to achieve. Jesus removes a demon from a possessed boy. The crowd brings a woman caught in adultery before Jesus. They walked away when Jesus pointed out their own sins. Scripture repeatedly warns of the potential danger of being overtaken by darkness. Jesus is the Light of the world who overtakes darkness. Paul, appealing to Greek athletes, likens the faithful Christian as the winner of a race. Paul calls for his congregation to have a deeper understanding (perception) of God’s plan of salvation. The Gentiles achieve righteousness through faith, but not through the Law.
Scripture:
“They said to Him, ‘Teacher, this woman was caught in the very act of committing adultery.” Jn. 8:4
The Jews apprehended the adulterous woman. However, the people left when Jesus pointed out their own sins.
“Observing the boldness of Peter and John and perceiving them to be uneducated, ordinary men, they were amazed, and they recognized them as companions of Jesus.” Acts 4:13
The peoples’ minds were seized by comprehension that these ordinary men were able to do healings. They were amazed that they were simple men.
“Do you not know that the runners in the stadium all run in the race, but only one wins the prize. Run so as to win.” 1Cor.9:24
Paul is appealing to the Greeks familiar with sports and gyms. Paul likens the faithful Christian who runs and wins the race of life.
Etymology: In this term, the (kata-) prefix indicates intensity or suddenness. The Greek verb lambano means to take. The Latin verb comprehendere essentially means to seize or to take with the mind in order to have understanding. The Latin verb respondere means to answer (promise) in return. The Latin verb adprehendere means to seize or to take hold. This also can mean to seize with the mind. The Latin verb cognoscere means to get to know. This also is a mental process of knowing. On the other hand, the related Greek verb antilambano (my next post) means to take in or to help someone. (Take my hand and follow me into my next post. I suspect that you will find my next post interesting.) ☺☺
Conclusion:
Response, respond, responsive, comprehend, comprehension, incarceration, trap, cognition, recognition, recognize
It was interesting to discover that this term has many meanings and uses. This term conveys an active or sudden sense of taking or seizing. Some of the more nuanced meanings include being caught, being accused, being pressured (constrained), and being kept secret.
In the Old Testament, this term is used quite extensively. The more interesting examples include holding fast, taking a wife, encountering, and completing.
In the New Testament, this term also has various meanings. Comprehending (seizing of the mind) is shown by observation, perception, and understanding. There continues the notion of the overtaking (struggles) between light and darkness. The Jews apprehend the adulterous woman, yet Jesus takes this opportunity to point others’ sins. The Greeks achieve righteousness by faith, not by Jewish expectations. Paul likens the faithful Christian to a runner who finishes the race. The Christian, like the athlete, must prepare himself for the journey. The victorious Christian is one who remains faithful to Christ.
It is also interesting to note that Jesus writes on the ground. This is the only time that Jesus writes down something. In fact, Jesus doesn’t even instruct the disciples to write down His gospel message. Rather, this message is conveyed through oral tradition. The official New Testament canon (books) will not yet be determined until many years later. It is only centuries later that the New Testament is presented in written form.
Protests and riots: It now seems that the violence, looting, and property destruction have recently overtaken the earnest message about George Floyd. In Portland, federal agents and police have been sent in response to the criminal activity and the property damage caused at the federal courthouse. In turn, these federal agents are called to protect property and to arrest criminals (suspects). Yet, however, the federal agents and police are now being called instigators for fanning the flames of violence. Yet, these local leaders are seemingly not able, or not willing to tamp down this violence. This violence has been continuing for weeks!
In this post, I wanted to seize this opportunity to offer my support for the federal agents in their efforts to quell this violence. I hope these local govt. leaders comprehend that the police must also not be defunded (restrained) in their efforts to to do their jobs. Local authorities: seize this opportunity in making the right choices and decisions. Otherwise, your citizens will either vote you out or leave your city. I hope you can understand that!